Squeezes

One essential tool for the epigrapher is the sqeeze : a paper inverser copy of aninscription. Squeezes are produced by hammering a wetted piece of (filter) paper on a stone, and leave it to dry. Squeezes are easily tranported and can last avery long time. It is often preferable to have a squeeze at hand when you want to decipher an inscription, as they are more easy to handle! The English term squeeze is a bit misleading: French estampage, the German Abklatsch or even the Latin Ectypum give a better idea of the effort going into the production of a squeeze. If you want to have an idea of how a squeeze is actually produced you may have a look HERE for clips that you also find on FROMSTONETOSSCREEN.

Several Classics departments are now offering on-line access to their collection of squeezes

The Center for Epigraphical and Palaeographical Studies at OSU offers photographs of a a large selection of (mainly) Athenian documents. For each image publication details are provided. You can of course browse for individual publications.